Bayreuth a hot favourite
Fraunhofer apparently plans with city of technology as location of the institute
Bayreuth. Chances are good that Bayreuth is about to be location of a Fraunhofer institute. This is a result of the visit of prime minister Günther Beckstein at the centre of excellence New Materials, under whose roof one of two Fraunhofer task groups of Bayreuth work as well.
How can you say something, if you do not want or are not allowed yet to say anything officially? Dr. Alfred Gossner, executive board for finances and controlling at the Fraunhofer association, is a master craftsman in this discipline: Due to the sponsorship of the Free State of Bavaria, the Fraunhofer association would plan sanctions of extension at several locations. In the next five to ten years, up to five new Fraunhofer institutes are supposed to be generated in Bavaria. Bayreuth was part of the ten locations, which Gossner recited and that are on the short list, as well. Reasons for this are predominantly the successes which the two Fraunhofer task groups of Bayreuth ceramic composites and process innovation East Bavaria have achieved hitherto. Gossner showed himself impressed: “I am confident that the task groups reach their targets and that the regional and national industry will support us as partner of research.”
This is more than a set phrase, because Fraunhofer sticks to its philosophy in Bayreuth as well. The organisation for applied research in Europe, leading by its own account, never founds an institute right away, but develops competences, resources and customer relations in task groups, which represent the basis for founding an institute.
As such a solid basis he would presently see the framework agreements of the Fraunhofer association with the university of Bayreuth, the start-up financing of the free state, the economic environment and the dedicated staff. “We can be confident to set up a complete institute here in Bayreuth”, said Gessner in derogation from the notes during his speech.
Should the growth dynamic of the task groups of Bayreuth continue under the direction of the university professors Walter Krenkel and Rolf Steinhilper, he would assume that the institute of Bayreuth were about to be one of the first of the planned new locations. Gossner: “I rather trust in five than in ten years, if it locally goes on that dynamically.”
Beforehand, prime minister Beckstein had stated that the golden opportunity to adhere renowned Fraunhofer research establishments all over the world to Bayreuth would be seized together. For the extension of capacities of studying in Upper Franconia, 15 million euros would additionally be passed on to the consolidation of the infrastructure of technology and innovation in Bayreuth in the next years. Frank Schmälzle
As heat-resistant are ceramics: prime minister Beckstein (middle) read up on the progresses of the two task groups of Bayreuth of the Fraunhofer association at the centre of excellence.
Source: Nordbayerischer Kurier of August 29th 2008. Download